. The religion of Russia. A study of the Orthodox Church in Russia from the point of view of the Church in England. n this way theOrthodox Church utilizes the services of men who lack thespecial gifts required for the priesthood, and yet are desirousof serving God in the sacred ministry. The Monastic Orders The rich variety of religious orders existing in WesternChristendom finds no parallel in the Orthodox Church,where there is but one, the contemplative order of S. active order for women is now in existence, but thisis only an experiment and so far lacks official authoriza-tion. The
. The religion of Russia. A study of the Orthodox Church in Russia from the point of view of the Church in England. n this way theOrthodox Church utilizes the services of men who lack thespecial gifts required for the priesthood, and yet are desirousof serving God in the sacred ministry. The Monastic Orders The rich variety of religious orders existing in WesternChristendom finds no parallel in the Orthodox Church,where there is but one, the contemplative order of S. active order for women is now in existence, but thisis only an experiment and so far lacks official authoriza-tion. The Russian monasteries have often proved themselvesin the past to be glowing centres of devotion and is said that nowadays the flame burns more dimly, butof this I am not able to judge, having visited so are three 1 Lavri, or greater monasteries, of whichthe metropolitans of Moscow, KiefF, and Petrograd arethe abbots, ruling their houses by a namyestnik or prior,as did the prince-bishops of Durham in the Middle Ages. 1 I am informed that there is now a fourth lavra at Pochaeff in < c < B X h 2 u w 5 h THE HIERARCHY 41 The Troitsky or Trinity Lavra in the neighbourhood ofMoscow is the most famous of these. I referred to thismonastery and its glorious past in the chapter dealing withthe religious history of Russia. Thousands of pilgrims fromall parts of Russia visit its glittering shrines every year. Itis the national sanctuary. Organization Owing to the centralization of authority in the HolySynod, a Russian bishop has nothing like the independenceof our own Fathers in God. He is more like a governmentofficial, administering his diocese like a civil governor, withthe assistance of his consistory court, a body composed ofmonks, secular clergy, and laymen. The secretary is a lay-man who has a great deal of power. Responsible to thiscourt are the rural deans, who in turn supervise the parochialclergy in their districts. It is worthy of remark t
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectrusskaiapravoslavnai
